Cub Tracks can drive 55

Now we’re talkin’! 55 runs in four days. That’s a playoff-quality offense. Yanking Cole Hamels when he starts getting barreled is playoff managing. A fifth consecutive winning season is nice, too. Sure, this is taxing— but would you really have it any other way?

And of course Rt 55 connects Chicago and St. Louis, and the playoffs live at that intersection. Right now BBRef has the Cardinals at 91% playoff certainty and the Cubs at 67.5% playoff certainty. Fangraphs says 89.4% and 68.2 respectively. The Dodgers, Braves, and Nationals have higher percentages. The Brewers have a 43.2% likelihood according to Fangraphs. The Mets have less than 1%. Minor miracle my big white butt. The Reds were eliminated from the playoffs last night.

Win or lose, this is what we wanted from TheoJed, to have a realistic shot at the playoffs every year, to have a chance to get into the postseason tournament and maybe bring home the big prize. The ledge seems so far away now... it was looming last week. I had my parachute on, keeping in mind the famous Gary Larson cartoon below. But I was heading out.

Not so much now. Two games behind in the division with a dozen to go, a half-game behind Washington for the top wild-card spot, and Sonny Gray and Yu Darvish on the bump today with meatloaf on the line. That’s entertainment!

National League Central

Cardinals 84-66
Cubs 82-68 2 GB
Brewers 81-69 3 GB

National League Wild Card

Nationals 82-67
Cubs 82-68 0.5 GB
Brewers 81-69 1 GB
Mets 77-73 5 GB

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font.

“If we play up to our capabilities, we can beat anybody,” Theo Epstein said. “It all starts over once you get into the postseason. We’re looking forward to doing what we need to do to get in there.

Let’s hope Josh VanMeter’s family member is okay.

• Matt Martell (Sports Illustrated*): NL Wild-Card Reset: Can the Mets pull off a minor miracle? “An uncertain future looms.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): After Kyle Schwarber HR, streaking Cubs ride ‘pen. “... the group has evolved into an area of strength, even with closer Craig Kimbrel currently out of the picture.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs hopeful closer Kimbrel (elbow) can return for final two series against Cardinals. “The seven-time All-Star has a simulated game scheduled Tuesday that could be the final step in returning from the injured list in time to face the Cards this weekend.” Jordan Bastian has more.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Ankle sprain may end Anthony Rizzo’s regular season. “I want to play as soon as possible,” Rizzo said. “Whether it’s now or Game 1 of the World Series, I want to play as soon as possible.” Injuries shuffle Cubs’ possible playoff roster plan. Tony Andracki elaborates on that scenario. Rizzo talks about it on ESPN [VIDEO].
• Bruce Levine (670 The Score*): Nico Hoerner keeps impressing amid playoff race. “For me, if it’s about supplying a late-season spark by playing hard and late-season results,” Hoerner said.
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): David Bote’s second-half numbers quietly good in limited role. “... Bote has created more runs than an average hitter since the All-Star break.”
• John Grochowski (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Kris Bryant’s first five seasons impressive, but let’s put them in some perspective. “By bWAR, the top five are Santo (41.9), Banks (31.7), Bryant (25.3), Billy Herman (25.1) and Rizzo (24.2).” Bryant passes Ernie Banks. More bad days than good. He’s the Player of the Week though. The doctor is in {$}.
• Danny Ecker (Crain’s Chicago business*): Cubs owners refinance Wrigley Field plaza, hotel. “Their goal with this real estate is to plant a sturdy, stable set of properties in the heart of Wrigleyville and operate them well.”
• Cubs birthdays: Frank Schulte, Earl Webb, Sheriff Blake, Jim Woods, Thad Bosley, Dan Haren. Also notable: Butts Wagner, Orlando Cepeda (HoF)

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading, Alice!